On Wednesday evening, February 16, the Albanian ICT Awards, the largest nationwide technology competition, began efforts to crown the 10th jubilee edition.
A decade ago, when the Albanian ICT Awards took its first step, the ecosystem of technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship in Albania was promising and inspiring but also very different from the one we know today.
Personified as a great stage of achievement of Albanian stars in technology, innovation, and entrepreneurship, Albanian ICT Awards quickly became not only a unique event but also a vital catalyst for the ecosystem by promoting, inspiring, shaping, and transforming ideas for all Albanians wherever they live.
The 10th edition kicked off the crowning of a 10-year mission born of the desire to turn an innovation into a tradition not just of an ecosystem or actor but of a nation.
"10 years of history, success story, not as a success of ours but of the whole ecosystem. It is a decade of innovation that speaks Albanian. ICT Awards is not just an object or logo, but a collection of values and people with strong faith to promote the name of Albania in the world, "were the opening words of the co-founder of ICT Awards, Mr. Kushtrim Shala.
With the Deputy Mayor of Tirana, Mrs. Anuela Ristani, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship Protection, Mrs. Edona Bilali, Minister of State for Youth and Children Mrs. Bora Muzhaqi, and the representative of Raiffeisen Bank Mrs. Greta Lekaj, prominent figures of the technology, innovation and entrepreneurship community in Albania and beyond, Albanian ICT Awards presented at the Destil Creative Hub the competition criteria, application categories, evaluation processes and important moments of this edition.
Deputy Mayor of Tirana, Mrs. Anuela Ristani said that "our task is to make the fight that everyone has in their direction easier, and what makes this event authentic is the sacrifice, the goal and the achievements of these innovators"
The 10th jubilee edition of the ICT Awards marks a return to attention not only of a decade-long journey but of the cornerstone of a mission transformed today into a temple of innovation.
Awards promote and reward the work, vision, achievement of young people, professionals, leaders, innovators, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, and women in technology, this year this competition divides the evaluation criteria into 6 categories: ICT Innovation of the Year, ICT Startup of the Year, ICT Innovative Blockchain, ICT Diploma of the Year, ICT Rising Star, Woman in ICT and Cyber Security.
Greta Lekaj, the representative of the traditional sponsor of the Albanian ICT Awards, Raiffeisen Bank, described this event as a window of innovation.
This year's novelty is for anyone wishing to apply to the ICT Awards or nominate someone else. A dedicated nomination form where you can fill out the nomination form with the details of the person or company you want to nominate will be available on the official website of the Albanian ICT Awards.
"It is very inspiring to see how this event has managed to withstand the years. "Even in the years when big events were postponed, ICT continued with its program," said the representative of the jury of the IX edition, Mr. Igli Gjelishti.
He described the event as a springboard to success.
Since the first edition, this event has evaluated about 1500 projects in various fields, categories, and industries and awarded over the years about 150 individuals whose achievements have left tangible traces in Albanian society.
An initiative that supports the work and talent of the brave in technology through a transparent evaluation, on the stage of the Albanian ICT Awards have passed in the last decade ideas, projects, and proven products.
In her keynote address, Minister of State for Entrepreneurship Protection Ms. Edona Bilali said that the ICT Awards is a factor of the ecosystem considering it part of the co-government journey. "We share the same vision, to make our small Albania an international factor."
"Every year the greatest achievements, every year creative people who are rewarded and motivated," said Ms. Bora Muzhaqi Minister of State for Youth and Children.
Hundreds of meetings in schools, universities, creative centers, innovation laboratories over 10 years have named ICT Awards as the Oscar of technology in Albania.
Representatives of startups, talented young people, and children brought to this event success cases over the years for the winners of the Albanian ICT Awards. Today, the winners of this competition over the years speak the language of entrepreneurship, technology, and innovation everywhere in Albania, Kosovo, and around the world and are clear proof that the future of Albanians in technology is undoubtedly bright.
Winners over the years and genuine success stories greeted this edition with short video messages from Mërgim Cahani from Gjirafa, Hana Qerimi from Digital School, and Starlabs, Endri Dibra from Arbrea Labs, Genti Selenica from Baboon and Geri Çupi from Twig / Monochain.
Mr. Eduard Shalsi, Mr. Visar Jasiqi, and Mr. Ilir Çapuni greeted the 10th edition of the ICT Awards.
Surprises and prizes await all those who will join the journey of this competition such as scholarships, trainings, networking, unique promotion, and internships. Applications will be officially open on February 16 and can only be made online and stay open until April 17.
For 10 years this competition has enjoyed the support of traditional sponsors since the first steps such as the Dritan Hoxha Foundation, Raiffeisen Bank, and Albvision.
Vodafone Albania, Dev.al, Albsoft, Radix, Baboon, Ibas, Facilization, Soft & Solution, AUK, SEEU TechPark, Top Channel, Telegrafi, PCWorld, CIO are sponsors, partners, and other media supporters of this competition.
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